Alex FM’s commemoration event serves as platform for deeper discussions
Alex FM's commemoration event explored the media's role in South Africa’s political history, while also serving as a platform for discussions on youth freedom and how the media can help tackle the youth’s present-day challenges.
As the country commemorated June 16, Alex FM’s event at the Alexandra Safe Hub became a space for deeper discussions.
It served as a platform for young people to reflect on the role of media in South Africa’s political history, and some used it to shed light on current youth struggles, including violence and unemployment.
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In his welcome address, station manager Takalane Nemangowe emphasised the importance of the day. “It is important to have programmes like this to remind ourselves of where we are coming from as a country and where we are going. We need to commemorate and celebrate the heroes that came before, who fought so hard for us to be free today.”
The event provided a platform for individuals to share their concerns about the current generation. Speaking from the sidelines, an elderly speaker Grace Mathebula reflected on the significance of education, expressing concerns about how young people are misusing the opportunities that the youth of 1976 fought for.
“Why are our children doing things like these [gangsterism] at schools? If they would follow in our footsteps, there wouldn’t be gangsterism and stabbings at schools, and they would respect,” she noted, adding that youth are fortunate because now they enjoy freedoms their predecessors did not.
Speaking offstage, Power FM’s breakfast show host Tessa Dooms said that young people should harness these freedoms through creative industries and the communications sector, using them as spaces for self-expression. “We have so many young people who have so many ideas, thoughts, and so many ways that they could express themselves, but they are not.”
She also highlighted the role of radio in addressing the challenges young people were facing. “One thing that radio has become is a conduit for the powerful to speak to the masses, but it is time for radio to be where the masses speak to the powerful, and give their ideas about what will change the employment status of young people, and [about] issues like crime, and violence.”
To close off the event, master of ceremonies Nkululeko Phiri invited attendees to participate in a radio link competition. Winners received prizes, and Alex FM board chairperson Isaac Mangena gifted all participants.
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